Al Ras empezó en el año 1998 cuando los amantes de la música bluegrass se reunían en Gàllecs, parque natural muy cercano a Barcelona. Poco a poco y de boca en boca, los encuentros se hicieron muy populares y desembocaron en el resultado de un sueño, organizar un festival.
Durante todos estos años los esfuerzos de mucha gente han hecho posible Al Ras, algunos nos han dejado, pero su espíritu sigue con nosotros. Organización, voluntarios, bar, sonido, músicos, todos han hecho posible este festival y han contribuido a difundir el Bluegrass y la música Old-Time norteamericana
Al Ras started as a Banjo player reunion in a small town called Gallecs in the Barcelona area.The reunion became a Festival. In the firsts years Al Ras was a blend of Acustic music, Bluegrass, Old time, Celtic, Klezmer... We have been lucky to have in our stage some of the best spanish musician and also some great International stars like Bill Keith, Tom Corbett, Andy Glandt.
Here at Al Ras we would like to dedicate to all the spaniards and foreign musicians who introduced us to Bluegrass, Old Time and Irish music here in our land by organizing concerts and jam sessions and by teaching the rising generations to play such little-known instruments as the banjo, mandolin and traditional fiddle – without them, Al Ras would not be possible.
A number of those pioneers will be joining us at the festival: Gabe Ramirez, Sedo García, Javier Sanchez, Ricky Araiza, Toni Giménez and Bernard Molloy (RIP), without forgetting others like Agustin Zubiaga, Angel Ruíz, Marugan, Freddy Kentucky, Milan and Joan Bibiloni, Heri and Maria (Bandana), and so many others – too many to list here. Our thanks to you all, and keep on pickin..!